This book is a collection of writings by Mothers whose son served the
WWI. There was only 1 letter by a Mother from Wayne Co., IL.

Thank you Dorothy Faulk for finding this!

Smiles!

Dianna
Coordinator
Wayne Co., ILGenWeb site

GOLD STAR MOTHERS______________________

I, Martha A Wise, daughter of Elliott and Zelphia (Green) Wise, was
born September 25, 1864, Big Mound Township, Illinois. On December
5, 1886, I was married to George J Book. We had the following children:
Roy, Ethel, Eldon, Mary, Pete, Ira, Alice, and Marjorie. I am years
old, live in Fairfield, Illinois, and enjoy good health. My husband
passed away September 24, 1929. Six of my children are still living.

My son, Sergeant Eldon Book, was born march 28, 1895, at Merriam, Illinois.
He remained at home until 1916 when he became 21 years of age. He
then departed to Iowa. After remaining there for a time he went to
Rockford, Illinois, where he was employed in a manufacturing plant.
While there he volunteered his service in the army soon after the war was
declared. He enlisted in Co. K, 7th Infantry. After having
received his neccessary training, he served for some time training other
recruits. Not being satisfied to serve only at home, he asked to
be sent to Europe. Having had his request granted he crossed the
waters in May, 1918. Previous to that he was in Ft. Bliss, Texas,
Gettysburg and Camp Green, North Carolina.

Shortly after arriving in France he was engaged in active serviceat
the front. He fought with the Third Division at Chauteau Thierry
in the battle of the Marne and in Belleau Woods, St. Mihiel and Argonne.
On the twelfth day of October, 1918, he was struck in the shoulder
by a machine gun bullet while in command of his platoon. His friend,
Walter E McLiwrath, whom he had met in the camps and with whom he crossed
the water, with whom he also fought, saw him fall. Just as dusk came
on, this friend went back to find him. While he was lifting him up
to give him a drink of water, for which Eldon had asked, a bullet struck
him in the lung; he died before the first aid station was reached.
He departeed this life at the age of 23 years, 6months, and 14 days.

The remains of Sergeant Book were brought back to theUnited States and
arrived at Barnhill, Illinois, August 13, 1921, and were laid to rest in
Maple hill Cemetary at Fairfield, Illinois, on Sunday, August 14,
1921.

The Anthony Wayne Post of the American legion had charge of the funeral
services and he was laid to rest with full military honors.

Sergeant Book's great-great grandfather fought in the Revolutionary
War, and was one of the men who guarded Major Andrees, after his capture
on his return back to the British lines, after his secret visit to the
traitor, Benedict Arnold. He was present and one of the guards when
Washington had Andres hanged as a spy.